HSE ANNOUNCES INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY POLICY FOR RESEARCH

HSE Press Release: E041:03 - 26 March 2003

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a new policy on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) arising from its research activity. The new policy means that in most cases the intellectual property rights in research done for HSE will remain with the suppliers or contractors rather than HSE.

The document sets out how HSE will apply its new policy and explains how it will promote the exploitation of the intellectual property generated as a result of the research activity HSE funds in pursuing its mission ' to ensure that risks to people's health and safety from work activities are properly controlled'.

Dr Paul Davies, HSE's Chief Scientist and Corporate Science and Analytical Services Director, commented: "This document replaces our previously published Statement and reflects the changes that have come about in the light of The Baker Report, to promote the more effective utilisation, management and exploitation of intellectual property generated in publicly funded research, to the benefit of Government, the UK economy and taxpayers.

"In future, except where specific exemptions apply, the ownership of intellectual property and the associated responsibility for commercial exploitation will be vested in the organisations that undertake the research rather than remain with HSE."

Notes to editors

1. HSE published its previous IP Policy Statement - HSE Research: Intellectual Property Policy Statement and Exploitation Plan in 1997.

2. 'Creating Knowledge Creating Wealth' - Realising the economic potential of Public Sector Research Establishments, a report by John Baker to the Minister for Science and the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, was published in 1999.

HSE Research: Intellectual Property Policy Statement and Exploitation Plan (2003) is available from HSE's website at the following URL: http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/iprights.pdf

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